Drivers complain about repetitive tire patching due to construction

(WMC) - The construction on Sam Cooper Boulevard comes with some major problems. Drivers are complaining about more than just the traffic congestion.

Drivers complained about the traffic problems, but the most recent complaints are more expensive for the drivers.

"Within the last four to six weeks, I've picked up five nails in my front tires," said Alicia Moore. "It's $15 every time I patch. Five times. You do the math."

Mike Cooley has a meat business nearby the construction. He says he is spending hundreds of dollars each week to repair punctured tires on his nine company trucks each week.

"Within the last two weeks we've got a tire flat once a day," he said. "It's like three hours out of their day from making money, selling."

Construction is expected to last another year or so. Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) says all of the work is being done off of the road and behind the walls. It cannot explain the nails.

"Let's figure it out because this is incredibly frustrating," Moore said. "Tires are not cheap. They're expensive to fix. I don't see any point in investing money on new tires if it's going to continue to be a problem."